Transporting critically ill patients
Kim L. Greenawalt BSN, RN, CCRN

$7.95 		Nursing2013 Critical Care
September 2011 
Volume 6  Number 5
Pages 38 - 40
 
  PDF Version Available!

ABSTRACT
Critically ill patients frequently must be transported through the hospital for diagnostic testing, procedures, or surgery. This puts them at an increased risk for complications and death. This article describes how to coordinate equipment and ancillary staff to ensure a safe transport while meeting your patient's physiologic needs.Before the transport occurs, verify that the receiving department is ready for the patient. Everything should be ready for the test or procedure to take place as soon as the patient arrives. When you're ready to leave the patient's room, have someone get the elevator and hold it so you aren't waiting in a hallway for the elevator. The patient also shouldn't wait in a holding area. The goal is to return the patient to the ICU as soon as possible.1Alert ancillary staff of the transport if they'll be required to accompany the patient.1 Advance notice lets them coordinate equipment and coverage for the unit in their absence.The patient's medical record should always accompany the patient, and hand-off communication should occur between the patient's caregivers in an organized manner. Information that should be included in the handoff includes the patient's name, age, room number, physician, diagnosis, and current medications and treatments.2 Other information that may be communicated at handoff includes but isn't limited to pertinent historical data (including previous treatments), symptoms, significant assessment findings, supplemental oxygen requirements, vital signs, abnormal lab values, I.V. fluids and rates, cardiac rhythm, presence of drains, equipment in use, and whether the patient has any special needs (such as glasses or a hearing aid). An assessment of fall risk should also be included in the hand-off.At least two healthcare providers (one being the patient's assigned nurse) should accompany a patient who's being transported to another department. If the patient is being mechanically ventilated, a respiratory therapist should also

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